LORAIN — When Lorain police raided the home of a 27-year-old Lorain father Thursday, they found a loaded gun and crack cocaine within easy reach of the man’s two young children, officials said.

Levi Springer Jr., of the 1500 block of West 24th Street, was charged with possession of crack cocaine, trafficking in crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana after the Lorain Narcotics Bureau, police road units and two detectives from the Lorain County Drug Task Force raided his home at 9 a.m.

“We found $673 in cash, more than 50 grams of crack cocaine with a street value of $5,000, a loaded .38-caliber semi-automatic handgun, a scale coated with crack cocaine and several small bags of marijuana,” said police Lt. Roger Watkins of the narcotics division. “Neighbor complaints led to our investigation.”

This case, one of many the narcotics unit is investigating, was led by Det. Chris Colon and took two months to complete.

“We were determined to complete this investigation before school started as this house is directly across the street from Admiral King High School,” he said. “We’re also pleased because a large amount of crack cocaine and a loaded firearm have been taken off the street.”

The loaded gun, several pieces of crack and some marijuana were on the floor of the West 24th Street home, Watkins said, adding Springer’s 1-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son were present at the time of the raid. Watkins said the residence was “not very well maintained” and “wasn’t clean.”

“Hopefully, Children Services can intercede in these children’s lives and put them in a better place,” Watkins said, adding the name and location of the toddlers’ mother was still unknown Thursday. The children were released to a family friend.

Two other people in the home were visiting and were not charged.

Watkins said it is possible Springer could face federal charges due to the amount of drugs confiscated combined with a loaded weapon on the premises.

“I’ll be talking to the ATF on Monday,” Watkins said, adding that at the time of his arrest, Springer was out on bond for previous charges of trafficking in cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

“He’s been arrested several times,” Watkins said.

Public records indicate Springer’s criminal record goes back at least seven years and includes arrests on charges including assault, driving while intoxicated, driving under suspension, possession of crack cocaine and possession of marijuana.

Contact Alicia Castelli at 329-7144 or acastelli@chroniclet.com.

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